Happy Columbus Day. Right, you’re thrilled. Anyway, it’s a good day if you’re in the market for a new coat, some boots, or a sweater for the upcoming colder weather. Kenneth Cole launched a 30% off outerwear, boots, and some other stuff sale on Friday, while BR is running a 30% off sweater sale today.

Just a few picks below. Figure it’d be an okay way to spend that 45 seconds you’d have otherwise spent checking the mail today. Just try not to spend too much money. The banks might be closed, but they’ll take your money tomorrow..

Darting in the back means it should be more fitted. Length looks to be close to perfect. Not an easy color to find a double breasted coat in. Under $200 with the sale and ships free. You’re on the hook for return shipping.

Straight leg, cotton, and a not too out-there plaid pattern. All slapped on a cotton pant with a 5-pocket jean-like layout. Haven’t seen them in person but they look like they could be winners. Shipping is a decently low $4 flat rate if you’re not spending over the $100 free shipping threshold.

Was on sale for $160 and now an extra 30% off that price. Drops them to almost half retail and just above $100. Ships free as well. The cap toe makes it look like a sleeker more dressed up version of the Timberland 6″ city zip. Still not a dress boot though. A hybrid that lands somewhere in between.

The round toe purists have never liked these. But if you like a slightly elongated toe, and you can stand a bit of a rounded corner chisel at the end, then for just north of $100 it’ll be hard to do better. Ships free and just barely. Surprised they didn’t mark it down a few bucks more to nail you with shipping charges. Full review here.

Most of you guys know about the appreciation this website has for Banana Republic’s silk/cotton/cashmere v-necks. They’ve been #1 for awhile despite their too deep V. It’s time to crown a new champ. This year’s BR merino v-necks are the perfect balance between:

Weight – Not tissue thin, not bulky at all.

Depth of V – It dips, but not wildly low.

Width of collar ribbing – more substantial than the silk/cotton/cashmere blend.

As stated right up there ^ now #2 but a close second. It’s really hard to beat the smoothness of the fabric on these. And they’re awfully strong and wear well. The V just dips a little too deep and they’re an extra $10 retail.

You see those two dents in the professional model’s sides in the pic on the left? Looks like the stylist didn’t smooth out the impact of the close-pin, chip clip, or whatever it is they’re using to gather extra fabric at the back. These are a bit boxy. But if you happen to be a bit boxy yourself and want a cardigan that’s no fly-weight weakling, these are reinforced through the neck and placket and have a good but not too heavy weight to them.

If the other V-necks are soup, then this one is a stew. Thick, chunky, and you won’t be comfortable with a blazer over it. Just like stew. No one likes a blazer over their stew. A more noticeable knit with flecks in the fabric. Warm and substantial, and not all that close fitting at the sides.

Both the Kenneth Cole and BananaRepublic.com sales expire today. All sweaters shown are size medium. Use BRSWEATER for the savings. Free shipping kicks in at $100 with Kenneth Cole and $50 with Banana Republic.

I agree about the boots. Overall, I really haven’t been a fan of Kenneth Cole’s footwear at all but those boots look really nice for a good price (pardon my rhyme). Also, that BR merino sweater is super sharp. A lot of really great colors too (loving the deep eggplant) but I wish they had a navy option.

The Kenneth Cole boots are well designed but for about the same price you can get a pair of HH Brown paratrooper/jump boots which are made in the USA of full-grain leather and have Goodyear welt construction.

I have said it about 100 times, Kenneth Cole shoes are just not worth the money. If they are your a once a month boot, they might hold up. But, if they are part of your rotation, they are not comfortable enough or sturdy enough. You can get Timberlands for a few dollars more or you can invest in some high quality footwear that will last you many years. Clothes have a finite lifespan, but shoes can easily last 10 years or more, if well made and properly cared for, so invest in them accordingly.

Yes Matthew. You have said it. So, remember the next time Kenneth Cole shoes get posted here, they’re not worth it “to you.” They’re not worth it to others. BUT… as one commenter mentioned just a few posts up from you, they are enjoyed by many. So they ARE worth it to some. Okay?